Christina Hendricks, who starred with Gosling in last year's Drive, will portray the single mother.

Speaking about the upcoming project, Gosling said: "I am very appreciative to [producers] Marc Platt, Adam Siegel and Bold Films for being so supportive and I look forward to making this film with all of them."

In a statement, Platt praised Gosling for "his ability to draw audiences into his world as an actor", which will help him as a director.

Both Platt and Siegel were two of the producers on Nicolas Winding Refn's Drive.

Gosling can be seen next in Gangster Squad, which will open in cinemas on January 11, 2013 in the UK and US.